746 THE RURAL COMMUNITY 



approach America within but few generations; the way in which 

 they will be solved will determine the character of the future culture 

 of this continent. It was perhaps never before, in history, made so 

 easy for any nation to become a great civilized nation as for the 

 American people. But according to human calculation it is also 

 the last time, as long as the history of mankind shall last, that such 

 conditions for a free and great development will be given, the areas 

 of free soil vanishing now everywhere in the world. 



One of my colleagues has quoted here the words of Carlyle: 

 " Thousands of years have passed before thou couldst enter into 

 life, and thousands of years to come wait in silence what ' thou 

 wilt do with this thy life." I do not know if, as Carlyle believes, 

 the single man can or will place himself, in his actions, upon the 

 sounding-board of this sentiment. But a nation must do so, if its 

 existence in history is to be of lasting value. 



